Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints that typically affects the knees and hands. The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, exhibits such symptomatology as pain and swelling of the joints as well as reduced movement. The condition can also affect the joints in the spine and hips.
The pain and swelling that patients experience is caused by a breakdown, over time, of joint cartilage. When joints are affected by wear-and-tear, they do not operate as fluidly or absorb shock as well. The lack of cartilage causes the bones to wear down and leads to permanent joint damage. Obesity, injury, or aging can worsen arthritis symptoms.
Prosthetics May Be Required
Arthritis itself may develop as the result of illness, injury, heredity, degenerative changes or exposure to toxins. In some cases, the impairment can cause such severe wear-and-tear to the joint that a prosthetic is required for the ankle, knee or hip. Surgery is often advised as well.
Reviewing a Claim
When reviewing a claim for arthritis, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will review how arthritis or orthopedic conditions are impeding your daily work activities. Is the condition preventing the patient from sitting, walking or standing for any amount of time? Is he free to use his hands for working? Can adjustments be made to his regular work activities if he is unable to walk or use his hands?
In order to obtain approval for SSD, patients need to provide full doctor notes that document their condition or show that the impairment is equal to another condition that is listed in the SSA’s “blue book” of listings. These listings can help you prove that your current arthritic condition is limiting your ability to work. Conditions of children should show how the child is unable to perform daily living tasks.
The Center for Disease Control states that the number of medically diagnosed claims for arthritis has jumped to around 50 million cases over the past several years. While proving disability can be challenging, a strong case can be presented when the claimant produces strong medical records and evidence.
Despite the promise of new drug therapy, arthritis still remains to be a major disabling and chronic disease. You can initiate your claim faster by producing an MRI or x-ray that shows joint deformities. The SSA reviews arthritis as either an autoimmune disorder or orthopedic impairment. Arthritis that is reviewed under autoimmune guidelines includes rheumatic and psoriatic types of arthritis while orthopedic conditions are related to osteoarthritic complaints. Again, each case of arthritis must be supported by detailed medical documentation, including lab tests and imaging. The more detailed and specific your medical history, the better the chance that your claim will be processed. Our legal firm can assist you in compiling the necessary medical documentation in order to prove your case.
